Software · head to head
Imago vs Carlson Mining
The short version
- They diverge on capability: Imago covers Geological database, Carlson Mining covers Pit design.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Imago and Carlson Mining actually diverge.
| Attribute | Imago | Carlson Mining |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 1983 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Imago
- Geological database
- Drill hole management
- Sample tracking
- Data validation
- Reporting tools
- Leapfrog
- Vulcan
- Excel
Only in Carlson Mining
- Pit design
- Grade control
- Production planning
- Survey integration
- Mapping
- AutoCAD
- ArcGIS
- GPS
Both cover
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Imago
- Digitising and managing drill core photographynot Carlson Mining
- Linking core imagery to geological logging datanot Carlson Mining
- Streaming high-resolution core imagery into Leapfrog modelsnot Carlson Mining
- Sharing geoscientific imagery across a distributed exploration teamnot Carlson Mining
- Capturing core images in the field with the mobile appnot Carlson Mining
Carlson Mining
- Pit designnot Imago
- Grade controlnot Imago
- Mine planningnot Imago
- Surveyingnot Imago
- Mappingnot Imago
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Imago
- Now a Seequent product rather than an independent one, so it sits inside that ecosystem and its own domain no longer resolves
- Capturing images at quality expects the Capture X software driving a camera rig, so it is not purely a software purchase
Carlson Mining
Nothing recorded yet. See the Carlson Mining review.
Pricing, plan by plan
Imago
On request- Imago Professional$6500/year
- Database management
- Drill hole tracking
- Sample management
Carlson Mining
On request- Carlson Mining Standard$7000/year
- Mining design
- Pit design
- Grade control
- Carlson Mining Professional$15000/year
- Advanced mine planning
- Production scheduling
- Equipment management
Which should you pick?
Choose Imago if
- You need geological database.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want drill hole management.
Choose Carlson Mining if
- You need pit design.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want grade control.
Questions people ask
- Is Imago or Carlson Mining better?
- Neither clearly leads. Imago starts at On request and Carlson Mining at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Imago or Carlson Mining?
- Imago starts at On request and Carlson Mining at On request.
- Does Imago or Carlson Mining run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is Imago best used for?
- Imago is most often used for digitising and managing drill core photography, linking core imagery to geological logging data, streaming high-resolution core imagery into leapfrog models, sharing geoscientific imagery across a distributed exploration team. Of those, digitising and managing drill core photography and linking core imagery to geological logging data are not what Carlson Mining is typically brought in for.
- What can Imago do that Carlson Mining cannot?
- Imago covers Geological database, Drill hole management, Sample tracking, Data validation. Carlson Mining covers Pit design, Grade control, Production planning, Survey integration. Both handle Windows support.